Local Business Spotlight College Funding Concepts

This Patch article is sponsored by College Funding Concepts.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Chris Curran, College Funding Advisor, of College Funding Concepts.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:
Chris Curran: College Funding Concepts helps parents fund the right college for their children, without taking on massive debt or destroying their retirement. Even if the student is not a straight A student and even if they will not qualify for financial aid.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?
Chris Curran: 17 years

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Chris Curran: The cost of sending three children to college had significantly impacted my own parents' retirement plans and was only getting worse for families of my generation. A few years into my career as a financial advisor many of my clients, who like me were young parents, started asking for help planning for college. I decided at that time to specialize in the college funding segment of the financial world, and made it the primary focus of my practice. Since then I have gained invaluable experience by helping over a thousand families navigate the confusing and complicated process of paying for college in the most effective way.

Patch: What's the most common piece of advice you give to customers?
Chris Curran: You have to treat college like any other major purchase and work out a budget that makes sense for your family long before your child ever starts researching colleges. Then be an educated consumer and know how to find schools that will fit that budget. Knowing the rules of the game and what to look for early on will help you avoid the common mistakes that cause many families overpay by thousands.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Chris Curran: The look of relief that comes across the parents' faces when they suddenly realize they can control the outcome and will be able to send their kids to college without destroying their finances.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Chris Curran: Having gone through this process myself with my own children and having experienced almost every possible scenario with hundreds of families, has given our firm a unique perspective on the important issues. This vast experience enables us to see opportunities that most will miss and quickly identify the best path for each family we meet.